Rodeo team off and running

Caleb Bennet of Morgan, Utah, led Weber State University's rodeo team at the WSU home rodeo. Bennet was successful in both the bareback riding and the bull riding events, winning the bareback riding and coming in third in the bull riding competition. Bennett also captured the "all around cowboy" points as well. "I usually am pretty lucky to do well in the bronc riding," said Bennet, a WSU sophomore, "but I have had trouble drawing good bulls this year. I finally got a real good one of Ben Germans (stock contractor) and I made the best ride I could. It's always fun to do well no matter how many rodeos you go to." The WSU Home Rodeo, March 6 and 7, has helped the WSU Rodeo Team to a strong start at the beginning of their spring season. The season started Feb. 27 with a rodeo in St. George. The two-day event, Feb. 27-28, was hosted by Southern Utah University and Dixie State College. At the rodeo, the WSU team had several successful students. WSU student Kaylee Freed was the winner of the barrel racing competition at the St. George Rodeo. At the latest rodeo, WSU student Kendra Hoffman was awarded for "all around cowgirl." Freed placed in the team roping event with her partner Seth Capel of Utah State University. Other winners at the WSU rodeo included former WSU competitor Hilary Bair. Blair now competes for UVU and was the winner of the goat tying and the breakaway calf roping events. Hoffman, Mckenzie Barrington and Mackenzie Pratt all placed well in this event. Nathan Dahl and Lad Howell both of WSU were the winners of the team roping. WSU was also able to capture the men and women's team titles at the rodeo. Both teams earned the most points over any other school. "We always like coming to the WSU rodeo," said Allison Schizowa, Idaho State University Women's Rodeo Coach. "They always have good stock, good facilities and they always give out buckles along with the usual prize money, which gives the contestants something more to shoot for." A few WSU seniors on the rodeo team were honored on Friday, March 6. This year's seniors included Kaylee Freed, Maegan Heiner, Sierra Thomas, Cody Wade and Brady Woodward. The seniors were presented to the crowd and given a watch to remember their rodeo careers with WSU. The rodeo was held at the Weber County Fairgrounds. Competitors came from Utah State University, Salt Lake Community College, Southern Utah University, Dixie State College, College of Southern Idaho, Idaho State University and Utah Valley University. All of these teams make up the Rocky Mountain Region. Region secretary Cindy cutler said she was pleased with how the rodeo was run. "Working with Dennis (Montgomery)," Cutler said, "and his team from Weber is always a pleasure, they always have plenty of help and their rodeo always runs smooth." The WSU Rodeo Team will finish out their season with two more stops. They will head to Heber City, Utah, on March 26-28 for the Utah Valley University Rodeo. They will then finish up the spring season in Twin Falls, Idaho, at the College of Southern Idaho rodeo. Then the top three contestants in each event will head to the College National Finals Rodeo in Casper, Wyoming, in June.

Maegan Heiner is a member of the WSU Rodeo Team.